Smog blankets Bangkok, prompting work from home

BANGKOK: A thick layer of unhealthy smog enveloped Bangkok on Wednesday as PM2.5 particles surged past the safe level by over 50 ug/m3, raising concerns about public health.

By 11 am (local time) on Wednesday, PM2.5 levels in Bangkok exceeded 75 microgrammes per cubic meter (ug/m3) in more than 20 districts.

In response to the worsening air quality, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt announced that agencies under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) would operate from home on Thursday and Friday to reduce traffic and potential exposure for city employees. He also urged private companies to implement remote work for two days.

However, schools under BMA's jurisdiction will remain open as they are designated Safe Zones with dust-free classrooms.

Meanwhile, the Pollution Control Department has forecasted a further deterioration in PM2.5 levels in Bangkok and its vicinity between February 14 and 17, attributing the unhealthy air quality to stagnant weather conditions.

Meanwhile, the air quality in 39 provinces across Thailand also exceeded safe levels as of 8 am (local time) today.

The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Gistda) detected a total of 1,097 hotspots nationwide on Tuesday. Satellite images from the Suomi NPP Satellite showed 294 hotspots in protected forests, 277 in national reserved forests, 223 in agricultural areas, 151 in Agricultural Reform Lands, 135 in community and other areas, and 17 along highways.

Kanchanaburi province had the highest number of hotspots, totalling 234.

Gistda data also showed a significant number of hotspots in Thailand's neighbouring countries, with Cambodia recording 3,223, Myanmar 1,447, Laos 1,051, and Vietnam 174.

-- BERNAMA

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